In the coming weeks, Rosecrance is asking members of the Illinois General Assembly to shape the state budget to avoid drastic cuts to life-saving care, treatment and services for people with substance-use and mental-health disorders.

Specifically, extending the income tax is critical. Without an income tax extension, access to vital services for 140,000 adults and children with mental illnesses and 15,922 individuals with substance-use disorders could be eliminated in the State of Illinois.

Some of those who would be denied access to necessary treatment are our neighbors in Rockford and surrounding communities. When people are prevented from receiving the care they need, there is a corresponding negative impact on our communities and the state as a whole.

The lack of access to services will result in the following consequences:

— State mental health institutions, jails and hospital emergency rooms will be overwhelmed.

— Public safety and public health concerns will rise to the surface.

— 26,500 uninsured clients would not have access to emergency psychiatric medications

— DASA Medicaid rates will experience a reduction to existing inadequate rates. There has not been a rate increase since 2006.

— Heroin is a public health crisis in Illinois. If the current income tax expires, there will be a reduction of service capacity by 750 slots, exacerbating the current increased need for opioid treatment for heroin users in Illinois.

— Criminal justice will also be impacted with a reduction of 6,000 fewer jail diversions from the criminal justice system, and delays in admissions may delay release dates for incarcerated individuals as a result of reduced access to treatment after release.

The income tax must not expire. Without a tax extension, $37.7 million will be cut from Mental Health Services and $29,320,100 will be eliminated from Substance Abuse Services. We ask our legislators to support the extension of the income tax.

Mary Ann Abate is vice president of Public Policy for Rosecrance Health Network